Splenda

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2003
Splenda
5
Wed, 06-21-2006 - 4:04pm
What I find odd, is that, we are all trying to stay away from trans-fat and hydogenated oils cause they are bad for us, etc...
Then, we add artificial sweetener to our food!!
I am still trying to get used to the taste of Splenda- and sugar free candy isn't all that bad, but, aren't we just trading one set of bad stuff for another with all these chemicals??
Just wondering how healthy it is to eat all this stuff with artificial sweetners?? (doesn't mean I don't do it, though!!)
Your thoughts??
Michelle
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-26-2005
In reply to: mwpampchef
Wed, 06-21-2006 - 4:23pm

This is my thoughts...

There is no 100% conclusive proof that artificial sweeteners are harmful. There is 100% conclusive proof that being over weight increases your risks of diabetes, heart problems, and many other diseases. I know without a doubt that I could NOT have lost weight without the artificial sweeteners. I never, ever would have been willing to totally give up "sweets". Not in a million years. I would have failed and still be 65lbs over weight today. With that added weight I had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, was borderline diabetic, chronic IBS, depression, irregular menstral cycles, trouble sleeping, etc. My doctor said he doubted I would live to see 45. At my last visit in December he said I was one of his fittest and healthiest patients. All my bloodwork was "perfect", I no longer have issues with IBS, I'm off all antidepressants, my cycles and hormones have regulated, etc. So in my mind there is no doubt that I am healthier now without the extra weight even though I use Splenda.



















spring06sig2
Avatar for kimmieindallas
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: mwpampchef
Wed, 06-21-2006 - 5:32pm

Well, it is certainly a personal choice to use artificial sweeteners.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2003
In reply to: mwpampchef
Thu, 06-22-2006 - 1:16pm
I absolutely agree with you - and I don't mind the taste of Splenda. Yes, I use Splenda, but I still don't trust the artificial sweeteners at all
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-19-2002
In reply to: mwpampchef
Thu, 06-22-2006 - 1:21pm

Your thoughts??

I have no qualms at all about Splenda.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-06-2006
In reply to: mwpampchef
Thu, 06-22-2006 - 6:07pm
I totally know what you mean. I worry about splenda too, even as I use it every day! I never used to be able to stomach artificial sweetners at all-like equal or sweet n' low, but splenda I don't mind as much. I think it tastes pretty good in my coffee and tea and that's about all the use I have for it-I can't stand diet sodas so I've stopped drinking soda altogether on SB-but I do worry about the long term effects of using splenda. I read up about it on wikipedia-which is my source for all wisdom on the internet :) and it said that there have been 110 studies done and none of them have found harmful effects. But no long term studies have been done, so we don't really know what the long term effects might be. But ultimately I think we can only act on what we know now, not some hunch or suspicion that something "might" be dangerous. Additionally we should take any new information we receive about the health effects of splenda with a grain of salt and look at where the information is coming from. I read that the sugar industry is going to great lengths to make the public afraid of splenda, because they're very threatened by splenda's popularity, and so they are sponsoring studies to try to find health risks...I personally don't trust doctors whose research is being funded by an industry with an agenda. Anyhow, I just try to use it as little as possible but recognize that I need it as a crutch in forging my way to a healtier diet and lifestyle...I sure wish honey wasn't forbidden because it's such a nice and natural alternative to sugar (even though I guess it IS in essence sugar). Anyhow I don't think I really helped much but I wanted to let you know that you aren't alone in your feelings-I too worry about it.